Explore with John Cabot

November 1, 2015

Gr 3-6-Bright colors and copious illustrations, along with the always-popular subject, will attract readers. Inside, there is a great deal of information, though the presentation is visually busy and material is sometimes conveyed out of sequence. Some sidebars are printed in light-colored text on bright backgrounds and are difficult to read. Short, two-to-three-word column headings can be distracting. Despite these difficulties, the books do contain relevant and interesting content, both about main and related topics. John Franklin includes information about survival in the Arctic, while James Cabot considers the aboriginal Beothuk people of Newfoundland. "My Explorer Journal" sidebars provide insightful discussion prompts. Illustrations include several reproductions and daguerreotypes. Lists of suggested online and print materials are well done. VERDICT These are attractive high-interest materials for lower level readers.

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